Computer power supply with a display function

ABSTRACT

A computer power supply with a display function has a rectifying circuit, an EMI filter, a power factor corrector, a switching circuit, a transformer and a secondary coil voltage regulator located between an AC voltage input and a DC voltage output. A linear rectifying circuit as a major technique connects to the output of the power factor corrector to detect power dissipation and represent the result in a display, thus user can take necessary measures when a computer draws excessive power.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a computer power supply with a displayfunction, and particularly relates to a computer power supply with afunction of real-time checking and displaying a status of the computerpower supply.

2. Description of Related Art

The computer power supply is a vital part in computer operating systemand any abnormality in it may interrupt the operation process, and mayeven destroy the system device. Take a PC (personal computer) forexample, different voltage supplies are presented in a BIOS (BasicInput/Output System) such as 3V, 12V, and 15V. However, as the usershave to enter the BIOS at the starting up of the computer and exit fromthe BIOS before entering the operation system, the voltage supplyinformation can not be obtained at any moment in the operation system,so the computer power supply information in the BIOS is of little helpto the user.

The present mainboard is equipped with a built-in monitor systemcooperating with application programs, so the internal temperature,input voltage status and fan speed are presented in the operationsystem, and only the computer power supply status information is stillisolated in the BIOS.

Therefore, the invention provides a computer power supply with a displayfunction to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a computerpower supply with a function of real-time checking and displaying astatus of the computer power supply, which can be independent of acomputer operation system, thus the users can take prompt measures whennecessary to prevent damage.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a display witha caution function. The display consists of a display panel and apointer, wherein the display panel is divided into two-color areas toclassify the magnitude of the computer power supply.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a display in accordance with thisinvention;

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram in accordance with this invention;

FIGS. 4A-4H show a circuit layout in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view in operation state in accordance with thisinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1-2, a computer power supply (10) is equippedwith a display (100), wherein the display consists of a panel and apointer indicating a value of load current.

With reference to FIG. 3, a circuit block diagram in the computer powersupply (10) has a rectifying circuit (11) with its input connected to anAC (Alternating Current) computer power supply to rectify the AC voltagesupply. A power factor corrector (12) is connected to the rectifyingcircuit (11) through an EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) filter (13)to correct a power factor of a DC (Direct Current) voltage from the EMIfilter and output high voltage to successive circuits. A transformer(15) has a primary coil and a secondary coil; a switching circuit (14)connected between the power factor corrector (12) and the primary coilof the transformer (15). A drive circuit (16) is coupled to both thepower factor corrector (12) and the switching circuit (14), toindirectly determine a current direction flowing through the primarycoil of the transformer through the switching circuit (14). A secondarycoil voltage regulator (17) is connected with the secondary coil of thetransformer (15) to transform and provide various DC voltage supplies. Alinear rectifying circuit (20) as a major technique in accordance withthis invention is coupled to an output of the power factor corrector(12) through a coupling coil (21) and connected to the display (100), soas to obtain a load current value and exhibit the result in the display.Furthermore, in this embodiment, a protective circuit (18) is coupled tothe drive circuit (16). A fan control circuit (19) is connected withboth the protective circuit (18) and at least one fan (190), to controlthe on-off state as well as rotate speed of the fan. A spare circuit(30) is set to provide computer power supply when the computer isde-activated.

FIGS. 4A-4H is a detailed circuit layout in accordance with thisinvention, wherein the linear rectifying circuit (20) consists of adiode, a capacitor and resistors, and the input is coupled to the outputof the power factor corrector (12) through the coupling coil (21), thusthe linear rectifying circuit (20) can obtain the load current value andexhibit the result in the display (100).

With reference to FIG. 2, the display (100) consists of a display paneland a pointer (103), wherein multiple-segment scales (101) (left part),(102) (right part) are in the display panel, and the pointer willindicate an accurate value in the scales (101), (102). To clearly notifythe user that the power dissipation is higher than normal, the scales(101), (102) can be respectively presented with different colors, andLEDs (Light Emitting Diode) can be set at the back of the panel, bywhich the scale value will be easy to recognize.

In this embodiment, the display (100) is connected externally to thecomputer power supply (10) as shown in FIG. 5. The display is mounted inan expansion slot (51) on the front panel of the computer main frame(50), so the computer power supply information can be seen from thefront panel as long as the computer power supply is on, independent ofthe operating system. If higher than normal power dissipation exists fora long time, a higher computer power supply may be required to keep thesystem stable.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerouscharacteristics and advantages of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrativeonly, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape,size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention tothe full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms inwhich the appended claims are expressed.

1. A computer power supply with a display function, the computer powersupply connected with a display having a display panel and a pointer,wherein the display is coupled to an output of a power factor correctorthrough a linear rectifying circuit, whereby the operating powerdissipation value is obtained and shown in the display.
 2. The computerpower supply with a display function as defined in claim 1, the computerpower supply comprising: a rectifying circuit connected to an ACcomputer power supply; the power factor corrector connected to therectifying circuit through an EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) filterto correct a power factor of a DC voltage from the EMI filter and outputhigh voltage to successive circuits; a switching circuit connectedbetween the power factor corrector and a primary coil of a transformer;a drive circuit connected to both the power factor corrector and theswitching circuit; and a secondary coil voltage regulator is connectedwith the secondary coil of the transformer to transform and providevarious DC voltage supplies.
 3. The computer power supply with a displayfunction as defined in claim 2, wherein the linear rectifying circuit iscoupled to an output of the power factor corrector through a couplingcoil.
 4. The computer power supply with a display function as defined inclaim 3, wherein the linear rectifying circuit consists of diodes,capacitors and resistors.
 5. The computer power supply with a displayfunction as defined in claim 4, wherein multiple-segment scales are setin the display panel, and the pointer indicates an accurate value ofload current in the scales.
 6. The computer power supply with a displayfunction as defined in claim 45, wherein the display panel is dividedinto different colors based on the magnitude of the scales.
 7. Thecomputer power supply with a display function as defined in claim 4,wherein LEDs are mounted at the back face of the display panel.
 8. Thecomputer power supply with a display function as defined in claim 6,wherein LEDs are mounted at the back face of the display panel.